Versailles, the Château, the Gardens, the Trianons

King Louis XIV's fervent wish to build a residence as a symbol of his glory and absolute power gave rise to a somewhat grandiose and sumptuous Château which would cause the name of Versailles to echo around the world.

Embellished by successive sovereigns who called on the greatest artists and architects of the day, the Château de Versailles reflects the apotheosis of a certain French style. Beyond the vestiges of the French monarchy, it is also a magnificent museum of art and history.

From the splendour of the State Apartments, emblematic of court life, to the refinement of the private cabinets, this guide follows the official visitor circuit to reveal the multiple facets of the most prestigious of royal residences, through to its gardens à la française, the Château de Trianon and the estate of Marie Antoinette.